Austria: Art Exhibition in Kapfenberg

On June 21st, 2006, Ms. Melanie Fleck, VP of the Austrian Art and Cultural Society ARS CARA, opened the three day Austrian Arts and Cultural Exchange Society “Truthfulness, Compassion, Forbearance” Exhibition at Castle Oberkapfenberg. After a short introduction she turned the proceedings over to Ms. Katharina Grieb, President of the International Society for Human Rights (ISHR).

Ms. Grieb spoke about the Chinese Communist regime. She severely criticised the dishonourable persecution of Falun Gong practitioners, as well as the violations of human rights by the Communist Party.

We were pleased to have the as speaker Ms. Gabriele Kandlbauer, the consolidation consultant of the city of Kapfenberg, and Councilor Gernot Leskover. Both spoke at our event.

The speeches were very profound, as the speakers were deeply impressed and moved by the beauty of the paintings, and even more appalled and moved by the unimaginable inhumanity of the persecution. In addition, a musical performance lent a deep ambiance and special clarity to the event.

Given that the explanations of the paintings were very comprehensive, the visitors gained a deep understanding of the situation. We are sure that all this increased the viewers' understandings of the artworks.

In the afternoon of June 21st, the regional television team from MEMA television station arrived and made a film of all the exhibition. As they conducted an interview with Sonja, the local coordinator of the event, they had the opportunity to hear the true situation, and through this we could reach more people. The story was televised the next day.

One of the two local coordinators, Sonja, shared her experience with us, "This is the first time I organised an event. I came due to a predestined relationship to this castle, where I was invited to display the paintings. Although I was very unsure at times and rather nervous to have to come in contact with so many people, I was certain that I could not miss this opportunity. What helped the most was that I knew that all my fellow practitioners were routing for me.”

“I have to admit that I lost all fear and reservations while organising this exhibition. At the same time I was lucky to find many of my attachments, due to close coordination with my fellow practitioners. I believe, once one understands the importance of exposing this persecution one can, with the help of the principles of Falun Gong, conquer all difficulties.”

Originally published in German at: http://de.clearharmony.net/articles/200608/33324.html